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Italian roundup Fiorentina backed by soccer authorities
MILAN (Reuters) -- Troubled Serie A club Fiorentina has been given a boost with the Italian Football League promising to back it in negotations with Italian tax authorities. But the club's long-term future remains uncertain as Italian media speculate over a likely bid for the club. Fiorentina is being run by an administrator and faces a bankruptcy court hearing on September 15 after which they could be sold to a new owner. Italian media reported on Friday that the League had agreed to guarantee the payment of tax debts Fiorentina owe. The Florence club has sold Portuguese midfielder Rui Costa to AC Milan and Italy goalkeeper Francesco Toldo to Inter for a combined fee of around US$60 million. That figure would just cover the US$59.05 million debt a board member said the club owed when proceedings were filed last June. "We have agreed to carry out a common line and we are looking for a way to guarantee the financial commitments Milan and Inter have undertaken with Fiorentina," League official Francesco Ghirelli told the daily Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday. In practice that is likely to mean that Milan and Inter will pay their transfer fees to the Football League who will then handle the debt repayment. Speculation over sale While the deal will help Fiorentina through a series of meetings with authorities in the coming weeks, the longer-term future of the club is less certain. The Florence club are currently owned by international film and media mogul Vittorio Cecchi Gori, 62, who produced the Oscar-winning Italian film "Life Is Beautiful." But Cecchi Gori, who has been club president since taking over from his late father Mario in 1993, is under pressure to sell the club, particularly from fans who have turned against him. As well as the debts facing Fiorentina, Cecchi Gori's business empire faces numerous problems and in July police raided his home in Rome as part of an investigation into his affairs. While Cecchi Gori is confident he can solve his business worries and has stated his desire to continue his ownership of the club, Italian media have speculated over a number of possible buyers. Several consortiums of Italian businessmen have been linked with the club and the latest figure to have shown an interest in a possible role is local businessman Alessandro Fratini. Some reports have suggested a consortium of businessmen from the United Arab Emirates could be ready to make a bid for the club but on Friday the United Arab Emirate's daily newspaper Al-BayanM/I> quoted "official sources" as denying a report that Dubai ruler Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum planned to purchase the club. Fiorentina made a disappointing start to the season losing its first match at home 2-0 to Serie A debutants Chievo.
Perugia pair set for legal fight over drugs bansTwo Perugia players banned for eight months after testing positive for nandrolone are considering legal advice after a shorter ban was handed to Juventus midfielder Edgar Davids. The Perugia pair Cristian Bucchi and Salvatore Monaco were both handed 16-month bans by Italian soccer authorities which were later halved on appeal. But the five-month sentences handed out to Dutch international Davids and Parma defender Stefano Torrisi on Tuesday have prompted the pair, who have now served their bans, to consider a claim for compensation. Bucchi said he and Monaco had not received equal treatment for what was an identical offence. "If the same treatment had been applied we could have returned to play on May 15," Bucchi told the Italian news agency ANSA on Friday. "That would have meant we would have been in action at a crucial phase of the season, for the final five games and all the pre-season friendlies," added Bucchi. Bucchi said he was not attacking Davids or Torrisi by pointing out the difference in the two bans. "I am sure that they, like us, are innocent that is why I'd like to see them back on the field tommorow. "But it is obvious an injustice has been committed. If the essential elements are there for us to claim compensation for the damage, we will move ahead," added Bucchi. Bucchi and Monaco completed their bans on August 15th, while Davids will be free to return to action on October 17.
Bologna president resignsGiuseppe Gazzoni resigned as president of Serie A club Bologna on Friday, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. Gazzoni's resignation had been expected and it was formally accepted by a meeting of the club's general assembly. The club said they hoped to announce a new president in the coming days. The departure of Gazzoni, who had been president since 1993, is unlikely to affect the club's stability. Bologna said they would welcome the involvement of "new forces" capable of "innovative economic and sporting projects."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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